Erythrina berteroana SEEDS

Description

Erythrina berteroana seeds grow into a deciduous tree or large shrub native to the wet tropical biome from the Caribbean and Mexico south through Central America to north-western Venezuela and Peru a wider range than ‘Central America’ alone implies. Named after Carlo Giuseppe Luigi Bertero (17891831), the Italian botanist and physician who collected extensively in the Caribbean and South America before perishing at sea. In Central America and the Caribbean this species is exceptionally important as a living fence plant branches cut from the tree are planted directly in the ground and sprout readily, forming a quickly established living hedge. Young leaves and flowers are eaten as a vegetable across its range. Family Fabaceae.

Full sun; fast-growing; highly adaptable to varied tropical soils; branches root easily as living fence stakes.

• Brilliant red-orange flowers attracting hummingbirds; edible young leaves and flowers
• Caribbean, Mexico to NW. Venezuela and Peru wet tropical biome; wider than Central America alone
• One of the most important living fence plants in Central America and the Caribbean
• Cuttings sprout readily when planted directly ideal for instant living hedges
• Named after botanist Carlo Bertero (17891831) who died at sea

Erythrina berteroana is one of the most practically useful coral trees in the Americas the combination of striking red flowers, edible leaves and remarkable ease of propagation as living fences has made Bertero’s coral tree a cornerstone of traditional agriculture and landscape management from the Caribbean to Peru.

IMPORTANT: Pictures show the adult plant, which is not for sale. The offer is only for seeds.